Christopher P. Higgins

Christopher P. Higgins serves as Professor and AMAX Distinguished Chair in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, a position he attained in 2025 following his 2022 designation as University Distinguished Professor. Joining Mines in 2009, he leads critical research on environmental contaminants with emphasis on poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in natural and engineered systems.

His educational foundation includes:

• PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University (2007)
• MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University (2002)
• AB in Chemistry from Harvard University (1998)

Dr. Higgins' research program investigates chemical fate and transport mechanisms, particularly PFAS movement through soils and water, human exposure pathways, and remediation technologies. His work integrates field studies, laboratory experiments, and mathematical modeling to address:

• PFAS leaching dynamics in vadose zones
• Advanced treatment methods for contaminated media
• Exposure assessment via water, food, and indoor environments
• Environmental risk characterization at contaminated sites

His recent publications demonstrate increasing focus on analytical method development, source identification, and destruction technologies for ultrashort-chain PFAS compounds.

Notable recognitions include:

• ASCE Huber Prize for Civil Engineering Research (2019)
• SERDP Environmental Restoration Project of the Year (2020)
• Honorary Professorship at The University of Queensland, Australia

His research program has secured substantial funding from NSF, NIH, EPA, USDA, and DoD, supporting interdisciplinary collaborations and graduate student mentorship. Current initiatives emphasize translating laboratory findings to field applications through partnerships with regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders.

Dr. Higgins directs the Center for Environmental Risk Assessment and co-leads the PFAS@Mines Initiative, which coordinates campus-wide research on PFAS contamination through integrated experimental, computational, and policy-focused approaches.